Pressure-engine



(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet I. P. M. 'RITES. PRESSURE ENGINE.

No. 582,232. Patented May 11, 1897.

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P.. M. RITES. PRESSURE ENGINE.

No. 582,232. Patented May '11.,1897.

FIGS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

FRANCIS M. RITES, OF ITI-IAOA, NEYV YORK.

PRESSURE-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 582,232, dated May 11,1897.

Application filed August 18, 1896. Serial No. 603,138. (No model.)

To CLZZ/ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. RITES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ithaca, in the county of Tompkins and State of New York,have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement inGovernors for Fluid-Pressure Engines, of which improvement the followingis a specification.

My present invention relates generally to centrifugal governingmechanism, and more particularly to governing mechanism forfluid-pressure engines of the general class or type set forth in LettersPatent of the United States No. 534,57 9, granted and issued to me underdate of February 19, 1895, and No. 526,856, to Rolla O. Carpenter,assignor of one-half to O. M. Giddings, dated October 2, 1894.

The objects of my invention are to increase the efficiency of acentrifugal governing mechanism,'to maintain a minimum degree ofstructural cost and complication, to neutralize all objectionablestrains by equivalent opposing efforts, and to advantageously utilizethose forces which should be effective in governor adjustment.

To this endmy invention, "enerally stated, consists in the combinationof a rotary carrier and a governor-weight structure having the particlesof its mass disposed on opposite sides of the axis of the carrier andsubject to both centrifugal and inertia action, said Weight structurebeing movable about a single axis on the carrier; also, in thecombination of a governor-weight structure, as above specified, anelastic medium interposed between the Weight structure and the carrierand an eccentric or eccentric-pin connected to the weight structure;also, in certain novel structural details and combinations, all ashereinafter fully set forth.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

It is well recognized that in order to be commercially effective acentrifugal governor should be reduced to the lowest number of partspracticable, for the reason that comparatively trifling friction, whichin other mechanisms might be immaterial, becomes a source of seriousdifficulty with a speed-regulator, and the liability to objectionablebinding or cramping increases as the parts are multiplied. Even underthe most favorable erally speaking, it may be said that in manyinstances the present shaft-governor is the weak feature of thesteam-engine.

The strains which are injurious in their relation to the govern or arecentrifugal force in imparting pressure to supporting-bearings and theeffect of impact of some reciprocating portion of the engine transmittedthrough the bearings, so as to wear them under what is momentarily anenormous increase of pressure. Ordinarily the centrifugal force isapplied at the center of gravity and the resistance at some other pointof the combination, which application,alt-hough apparently effective sofar as relates to balance of forces, subjects the connecting parts tovariations of original pressure, which introduces considerable friction,depending on the number of parts intermediate and the leverage exertedon them. Even when centrifugal force and spring resistance are appliedon the same piece it is generally the case that they are so applied atdifferent points that instead of making an exact balance they more oftenreact, so as to increase the pressure on the supporting-pin, andincrease instead of reduce the faults attending such conditions, with acorresponding reduction of efficiency in service.

Another important objection in ordinary governing mechanisms is theeffect of the impact of reciprocating parts-say in the connecting-rodbearings, which are often run extremely loosewhich in its transmissionthrough the governor-bearings produces a momentary immense increase ofpressure thereon.

Under my invention the strains of impact and centrifugal force areresisted by springpressure; and the essential feature of my invention,generally speaking, consists in a disposition of the mass of what issubstantially a single-piece weight moving about a single center on bothsides of the axis of rotation, or even entirely around the axis, certainparts of the weight being subject to a centrifugal strain inverse tothat to which other parts are subjected, elastic material to absorbstrains of impact being interposed between the weight structure and itssupport, and the action of spring resistance being in line with butopposed to that of centrifugal force.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of agovernor illustrating an application of my invention; Fig. 2, a View,partly in section, of the same as seen from the right; Fig. 3, a similarview as seen from the left; Fig. 4, a transverse-section at the line 52'of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a central section through a throttle-valve and agoverning device, showinga modification of my improvement; and Fig. 6, aplan view of the governing device shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, illustrate an application of my invention inwhich a unitaryweight structure and connected eccentric member aremovable about a single center on a rotary carrier, but in which asupporting-pin or journal mechanism is dispensed with and the support isprovided bya system of springs at angles one to the other, thecombination being such that movement of the weight structure is asubstantiallycircumferential one. The movement is therefore similar tothat which is effected by the employment of a pin-support without thedisadvantages attendant thereon.

The rotary carrier which is secured upon the crank-shaft orcounter-shaft2 of the engine has in this instance the form of a square block, and theunitary-weight structure is composed of a plate or disk 7 and twoweights 3 and 3% which are secured to the plate at or near its peripheryand on radial lines at an angle of ninety degrees one totheother. Theweight structure is connected to the rotary carrier by two plate or leafsprings 6 6, also at an angle of ninety degrees one to the other, saidsprings being bolted to two sides of the carrier, the line of junctionof whichcoincides with the axis about which the weight structure movesin the operation of the governor.

The eccentric 5 is journaled by a pin or bolt 5.to the plate '7 of theweight structure and is provided with a pin 21, which passes through anelongated opening in said plate and fits freelyin a guide slot or groove22 in the rotary carrier.

The central portion of the plate '7 abuts.

against a friction plate or block 29, which is formed of or faced withleather, rubber, or

analogous material, and fits in acentral bore in the shaft, said platebeing pressed against the plate 7 by a pressure plate or block 30,subject to the pressure of a helical spring 28. The block and spring 28are shown as fitted in the bore of the shaft 2 on the inner side of thepressure plate or block 30, but one or more similarly-operatin gfriction devices may, if preferred, be fitted in the adjacent endof thecarrier without differenceof operative principle or result, the objectof the construction inthis particular being to interchangesof load.

pose a frictional resistance between the weight structure and a rotarymember upon which it is supported and with which it rotates.

It may be desirable from time to time to vary the degree of frictionbetween the weight structure and its support, and to this end I haveshown a means of adjustment which is suitable and convenientlyapplicable. A plate 31 is inserted in the bore of the shaft at the innerend of the spring 28, and an ad justing-screw 32 bears against the innerend of the bore anden gages an internal thread on the plate 31. By theapplication of a screw-driver to the head of the adjustingscrew, whichmay be effected through openings provided for the purpose in the plate 7and eccentric 5, the spring 28 may be compressed to a greater or lessdegree and the frictional resistance of the block 29 to the plate 7 becorrespondingly increased or diminishedas desired.

here the slight irregular friction of the supporting-pin is minimized orwholly removed, as in my invention, it is desirable to substitute someother positive restraint which can be regulated and maintained withinproper limits. Dash-pots have ordinarily been employed for this purpose,but these are objectionable not only 011 account of their cost, but alsobecause of the cumulative ef fect of the restraint as the speed ofadjustment increases with rapid and extreme By the simple mechanismprovided under my invention a frictional resistance is afforded, whichis invariable with rapid action, and may be adjusted to the minimumnecessary for the :purpose without the possibility of such excess aswould effect a slow adjustment of the governor.

It will be obvious thatthe specific form of the governor-weightstructure is not of the essence of my invention, and it may, forexample, consist of an entirely-inclosing case covering thesupporting-carrier and its pin or springs, or, again, be in the form ofa disk or of a bar. Furthermore, its application is not limited to aconnection with an adj usta'ble ecture of my invention is applicable,without change of operativeprinciple, to mechanisms in general whicheffect regulation of speed by theaction of centrifugal force.

In order to illustrate the wide range of applicability of my invention,I have shown one form of it in Figs. and 6 connected with and adapted tooperate a throttling-valve device. The weight structure in this instancecomprises the frame, ring, or plate 33, formed integral with acentrifugal weight 34 and mounted on a pin 35, secured to the casing 36.A toothed sector 37, fixed to the weight structure, gears with a toothedpinion 38, which is mounted on a sleeve 39, surrounding the stem 40 of avalve 41.

The rotary carrier 36 of the governor-weight structure is secured to asleeve 42, mounted in the frame 44 and which surrounds the sleeve 39 andis formed integral with or secured to a bevel gear-wheel 43, meshingwith another bevel gear-wheel 45, receiving motion through a pulley 46by a belt from the engine.

On the upper outer portion of the sleeve 39 is formed a screw-threadwith which the pinion 38 engages. The sleeve 39 is adapted to movelongitudinally in the sleeve 42, but is prevented from turning thereinby the pin 47, which extends through the sleeve 42 into a groove in thesleeve 39. When the bevel gear-wheel 43 is being rotated at a constantspeed, the two sleeves 42 and 39, the rotary carrier 36, the weightstructure, the toothed segment 37, and the pinion 38 all turn togetherwithout any motion relative to one another, but when any variation inthe speed occurs the weight structure makes a slight movement about thepin 35. The toothed sector 37 moves on its axis relative to the rotarycarrier and in so doing moves the pinion 38 on its axis relative to thecarrier and to the sleeve 39. The movement of the pinion 38 relative tothe sleeve 39 by the engagement of the pinion with the screw-thread onthe sleeve 39 moves the sleeve 39 and the rod 40 longitudinally, so asto vary the opening of the ports controlled by the valve 41.

I claim herein as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1.The combination, of a rotary carrier, an integral governor-weightstructure, comprising a centrifugal weight and an inertiaweight, theinertia-weight having its mass symmetrically disposed on opposite sidesof the axis of the carrier, and means by which the governor-weightstructure may be connected with, or adapted to actuate or adjust aneccentric, or valve, or other controlling member, substantially as setforth.

2. The combination of a rotary carrier, a governor weight structuresubject to centrifugal action, and springs set at an angle one to theother and connecting the weight structure to the carrier with thecapacity of movement of the weight structure about an axis on thecarrier exterior to the axis of rotation thereof, substantially as setforth.

3. The combination of a rotary carrier, a centrifugally-acting weightconnected thereto, and a frictional resistance device interposed betweenthe carrier and the weight, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a rotary carrier, a centrifugally-acting weightconnected thereto, a frictional resistance device interposed between thecarrier and the weight, and mechanism for adjusting the degree ofresistance between the weight and the carrier, substantially as setforth.

5. The combination of a rotary carrier, an integral governor-weightstructure, comprisin g a centrifugal weight and an inertia-weight, theinertia-weight having the particles of its mass symmetrically disposedon opposite sides of the axis of the carrier, an elastic mediuminterposed between the weight structure and the carrier, and aneccentric, or eccentric-pin, connected to the weight structure,substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a rotary carrier, an integral governor-weightstructure comprisin g a centrifugal weight and an inertia-weight, theinertia-weight having the particles of its mass symmetrically disposedon opposite sides of the axis of the carrier, springs interposed betweenthe weight structure and the carrier and exerting tension in oppositedirection to the action of centrifugal force on the weight structure,and an eccentric, or eccentric-pin, connected to the weight structure,substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a rotary carrier, a governor-weight structurehaving the particles of its mass disposed on opposite sides of the axisof the carrier, springs set at an angle one to the other and connectingthe Weight structure to the carrier with the capacity of movement of theweight structure about a single axis on the carrier, and an eccentric oreccentric-pin connected to the weight structure, substantially as setforth.

8. The combination of a rotary carrier, a governor-weight structurehaving the particles of its mass disposed on opposite sides of the axisof the carrier and subject to both centrifugal and inertia action, saidweight structure being movable about a single axis on the carrier, anelastic medium interposed between the weight structure and the carrier,an eccentric or eccentric-pin connected to the weight structure, and aconnection between the eccentric or eccentric-pin and the rotarycarrier, substantially as set forth.

9. A governor-weight structure symmetrically disposed about the axis ofa carrier and integrally formed with a preponderating mass subject tocentrifugal force, and means by which the governor-weight structure maybe connected with, or adapted to actuate, or adjust, an eccentric, orvalve, or other controlling member, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANCIS M. RITES.

Witnesses:

J. SNowDEN BELL, T. J. HOGAN.

